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January 2018 Killer Quiz: Peaceful Queasy Feeling

The end of an approach means a transition from the instruments and navigator to the eyeballs and best judgment. Yet, some situations conspire to confound.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A short IFR flight from Burbank to Camarillo encountered multiple navigation and control challenges.
  • The initial RNAV (GPS) Z approach had to be aborted due to a GPS navigation failure (lost signal).
  • A subsequent RNAV (GPS) Y approach was complicated by tight ATC vectors, leading to the pilot being late in reaching the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
  • Despite visual contact, the pilot experienced a perceptual discrepancy regarding the airport's distance, with the runway located half a mile past the Missed Approach Point (MAP).
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Sure, it was nice to get out of Canada for a trip to southern California, but the flying has been nothing but hassles. The current one is an attempt to make the 12-minute flight from Burbank (KBUR) to Camarillo (KCMA) for an early morning meeting.

Ceilings of 800 feet required an IFR flight, which meant you were on vectors for the RNAV (GPS) Z Rwy 26 approach moments after the gear got in the wells. But before you even cross the FAF, your GPS squawks that it lost navigation and you should abort the approach, even though it seems to be navigating fine. After some fiddling and discussion with ATC about GPS NOTAMs, you try the RNAV (GPS) Y approach with vectors to final. The controller turns you on a bit tight, so you’re late getting down to MDA. At least visibility is reported at 10 miles.

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